CONCORD, N.C. — Danica Patrick said the possibility of winning Saturday night's Sprint Fan Vote — and a free ticket into the NASCAR All-Star Race — would be nice, but she'd rather get there on her own.

"Making it in is making it in, that's great," she told reporters on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Personally, of course I would love to race my way in. But the best thing that could happen is racing in the race. That's going to help us for next weekend (at the Coca-Cola 600)."

"From my understanding, that was a mistake by NASCAR's part earlier in the week," she said. "So outside of that, I have absolutely no idea what the rules are from the past or what they're going to be or what they have been. It's all new to me. I had no idea that qualifying for the regulars was like a three-lap (with) pit stop thing."

So does Patrick anticipate winning the fan vote (as she's widely expected to do)? Her competition in the top five includes Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte (who won it last year), Martin Truex Jr. and Michael Waltrip (who doesn't have a ride).

"I don't know," she said. "I feel like I'm very lucky to have so many great fans, and all my partners and everybody involved did a good job of promoting the fan vote. Hopefully that's there, but I'd rather just focus on racing my way in."

Danica Patrick sits in her car during practice at Dover International Speedway on June 2, 2017. Patrick would go on to finish 10th in the AAA 400, for her first top-10 in more than two years.
Matthew O'Haren, USA TODAY Sports

Danica Patrick received primary sponsorship from Nature's Bakery in the 2016 season, but Stewart-Haas Racing sued the snack food company for more than $31 million in early 2017, claiming that Nature's Bakery has reneged on payments.
Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

Danica Patrick climbs out of her burning race car after a crash with Matt Kenseth at Talladega Superspeedway on May 1, 2016. Patrick called it the worst crash of her career.
Marvin Gentry, USA TODAY Sports

Danica Patrick waves to her fans after making NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole. Patrick qualified first for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.
Kevin Liles, USA TODAY Sports

Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sept 30, 2012.
By Tom Pennington, Getty Images

Danica Patrick waves to fans during driver introductions prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 26, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
By Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images for NASCAR

Danica Patrick greets fans on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct 12, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C.
By Tyler Barrick, Getty Images for NASCAR